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Revelation 2

Rev. 2:1 KJV (With Strong’s)

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1
Unto the angel
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
aggelos (Greek #32)
a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
KJV usage: angel, messenger.
Pronounce: ang'-el-os
Origin: from ἀγγέλλω (probably derived from 71; compare 34) (to bring tidings)
of the church
ekklesia (Greek #1577)
a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both)
KJV usage: assembly, church.
Pronounce: ek-klay-see'-ah
Origin: from a compound of 1537 and a derivative of 2564
of Ephesus
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
Ephesinos (Greek #2179)
Ephesine, or situated at Ephesus
KJV usage: of Ephesus.
Pronounce: ef-es-ee'-nos
Origin: from 2181
write
grapho (Greek #1125)
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
KJV usage: describe, write(-ing, -ten).
Pronounce: graf'-o
Origin: a primary verb
; These things
hode (Greek #3592)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
KJV usage: he, she, such, these, thus.
Pronounce: hod'-eh
Origin: ἥδε (hay'-deh), and the neuter τόδε (tod'-e) from 3588 and 1161
saith
lego (Greek #3004)
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas 2036 and 5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while 4483 is properly to break silence merely, and 2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean
KJV usage: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
Pronounce: leg'-o
Origin: a primary verb
he thatn holdeth
krateo (Greek #2902)
to use strength, i.e. seize or retain (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: hold (by, fast), keep, lay hand (hold) on, obtain, retain, take (by).
Pronounce: krat-eh'-o
Origin: from 2904
the
aster (Greek #792)
a star (as strown over the sky), literally or figuratively
KJV usage: star.
Pronounce: as-tare'
Origin: probably from the base of 4766
seven
hepta (Greek #2033)
seven
KJV usage: seven.
Pronounce: hep-tah'
Origin: a primary number
stars
aster (Greek #792)
a star (as strown over the sky), literally or figuratively
KJV usage: star.
Pronounce: as-tare'
Origin: probably from the base of 4766
in
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
his
autos (Greek #846)
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
KJV usage: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.
Pronounce: ow-tos'
Origin: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward)
right hand
dexios (Greek #1188)
the right side or (feminine) hand (as that which usually takes)
KJV usage: right (hand, side).
Pronounce: dex-ee-os'
Origin: from 1209
, who walketh
peripateo (Greek #4043)
to tread all around, i.e. walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary)
KJV usage: go, be occupied with, walk (about).
Pronounce: per-ee-pat-eh'-o
Origin: from 4012 and 3961
in
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
the midst
mesos (Greek #3319)
middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun)
KJV usage: among, X before them, between, + forth, mid(-day, -night), midst, way.
Pronounce: mes'-os
Origin: from 3326
of the
luchnia (Greek #3087)
a lamp-stand (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: candlestick.
Pronounce: lookh-nee'-ah
Origin: from 3088
seven
hepta (Greek #2033)
seven
KJV usage: seven.
Pronounce: hep-tah'
Origin: a primary number
golden
chruseos (Greek #5552)
made of gold
KJV usage: of gold, golden.
Pronounce: khroo'-seh-os
Origin: from 5557
candlesticks
luchnia (Greek #3087)
a lamp-stand (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: candlestick.
Pronounce: lookh-nee'-ah
Origin: from 3088
;*
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
n
Rev. 1:16,20• 16And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
 20The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. (Rev. 1:16,20)

More on:

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Church,
Ephesian; of Ephesus,
Gold,
Seven,
Star

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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1-7:  What is commanded to be written to the angels, that is, the ministers of the churches of Ephesus,
8-11:  Smyrna,
12-17:  Pergamos,
18-29:  Thyatira, and what is commended or found wanting in them.
the angel.
Rev. 2:8,12,18• 8And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
 12And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
 18And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; (Rev. 2:8,12,18)
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Rev. 3:1,7,14• 1And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
 7And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
 14And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (Rev. 3:1,7,14)
church.
Rev. 1:11• 11Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. (Rev. 1:11)
holdeth.
Rev. 1:16,20• 16And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
 20The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. (Rev. 1:16,20)
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Rev. 8:10‑12• 10And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;
 11And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
 12And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. (Rev. 8:10‑12)
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Rev. 12:1• 1And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: (Rev. 12:1)
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John 5:35• 35He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. (John 5:35)
walketh.
Rev. 1:12‑13• 12And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
 13And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. (Rev. 1:12‑13)
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Ezek. 28:13‑14• 13Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
 14Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. (Ezek. 28:13‑14)
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Matt. 18:20• 20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matt. 18:20)
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Matt. 28:20• 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matt. 28:20)
• In assemblies we find, as a fact, a particular person whom the Lord specially links with the assembly as characterizing it: he is morally identified with it, and receives from the Lord either praise or condemnation according to the state of the assembly. (“Lectures on Revelation 2:1-7” by W. Kelly)
• Ephesus, the first of the seven churches, was separate from the world. Smyrna, the second century church, was persecuted by the world. With Pergamos, in the days of Constantine, we see the church comfortable with the world, whereas with Thyatira, the Church of Rome, ruled the world. The world protected Sardis in the days of the Reformation. The church of Philadelphia is rejected by the world, while in Laodicea, the final state of Christendom, we see the church as one with the world! Simon (“The Gates - Neh. 3:1-32” by N. Simon)
• Period - from the apostolic age to the close of the second century. (“The Seven Churches of Asia” by A. Miller)
• The assembly at Ephesus represents the Church historically, from the days just after the apostles to 167 A.D. (“The Things Which Are: Revelation 2-3” by B. Anstey)
• These particular churches in Asia were selected in order to present pictures of the moral and spiritual conditions that would successively develop in the Christian profession from the days of the apostles to the coming of the Lord (the Rapture). The fact that the Church’s witness for Christ is symbolized by “lamps” indicates that the time of this witness is during the Lord’s absence from this world, when it is night spiritually (Rev. 1:20; John 9:4-5). (“The Things Which Are: Revelation 2-3” by B. Anstey)
• Note, that the history of the first three churches is consecutive, whereas the history of the remaining four overlaps, and then practically runs on concurrently to the end, the Coming of the Lord. (“Messages of the Love of God: June 10, 1928”)
• Paul wrote to the saints in Ephesus (Eph. 1:1). John to the angel of the Church. Why this? Intimacy characterizes the former. Distance distinguishes the latter. (“Messages of the Love of God: June 10, 1928”)
• We regard the angel of the Church as symbolically representative of the assembly in its actual moral state. Representation is the thought. Hence in this book, the waters (Rev. 16:5), the winds (Rev. 7:1), the abyss (Rev. 9:11), and fire (Rev. 14:18) have each their representative angel. According to this view the angel of the Church may signify more persons than one. We would emphasize the remark that not official but moral representation is the idea conveyed in the word “angel” as used in connection with the seven churches. (“Messages of the Love of God: June 10, 1928”)

J. N. Darby Translation

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To the angel of the assembly in Ephesus write: These things says he that holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lamps:

W. Kelly Translation

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To the angel of the church that is ina Ephesus write, These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, that walketh in the midst of the seven golden lamp-stands:

WK Translation Notes

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a
The best MSS. read "that is in," not "of Ephesus."